Qutb Minar!

What Is Qutb Minar?

Qutb Minar (also spelled Qutab or Qutub) is the 240-foot sandstone centerpiece of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the oldest Islamic monument in India!

What Makes It Historical?

Before Delhi was Delhi, this was part of a citadel in Lal Kot, which was conquered in 1195 AD by Qutb al-Din Aibak, the slave-general of Mu’izz ad-Din Muhammad Ghori! Lingering here as viceroy, General Aibak commissioned Fazl Abul Maali to build this victory monument in 1199, tearing down and repurposing 27 Hindu and Jain temples for his new mosque complex. Only the basement level was completed during his lifetime, because 11 years later, the first Mamluk sultan of Delhi fell off his horse and died during a polo match!

Finishing the tower fell to his successor, Shams ud-Din Iltutmish, who was originally the slave of a slave, and took the throne from Aibak’s adopted son in 1211! He added three stories to Qutb Minar during his 25-year reign, and many years later, after the tower was struck by lightning, Firoz Shah Tughlaq split the top storey in two, giving the Qutb Minar five whole storeys by 1368!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
Volunteer with the World Heritage Volunteers!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!